Event Recap: Mommy and Me Mani-fest

By: Sophia Brewer

BelleIEVE Beauty encouraged each “Mommy & Me Mani-Fest” attendee to contribute an individual beauty declaration to a collective vision board. Image by Ania Volovique Photography

“When a woman feels 100 percent, she gives 100 percent,” was the sounding theme for the Mommy and Me Mani-fest event held on Sept 28th at The Dream Center in Harlem.

In a joint collaboration with the Center, Dre Brown hosted the free event that targeted local mothers and daughters for a day of beauty and empowerment.

Founder of BelleIEVE Beauty, an empowerment movement with a mission to design opportunities for women in under-served communities to create healthy beauty beliefs, Brown says this has been her vision for a long time.

“Moms are daughters’ first supermodels and when I was little, I loved putting on make-up and dressing up. I have always felt that when women feel their best, they do everything better,” said Brown.

Once mothers and daughters arrived at the Dream Center, they were greeted by fashionable volunteers, dressed in all black that were on hand to assist them.

Prior to receiving free manicures, a brief introduction was given by Brown and her sister, Natalie Chevonne on what beauty meant to them. They also shared insight on a few beauty tips. In addition, raffle prizes, complimentary food and gift bags were also distributed to guests throughout the day.

Divided into four beauty–themed stations, the last stop was a vision board that required all attendees to declare and write out a beauty dream for themselves.

The event was sponsored by Ginger & Liz Colour Collections, a non-toxic nail polish line that is great for expectant mothers and young girls.

“As new moms, Ginger and I just want to support initiatives that support family, women, and bring awareness to ladies on healthier cosmetic options,” said Liz.

Event attendee Brenda Collazo says she is glad her oldest daughter tagged her on Facebook about the occasion.

“I loved it. Everyone was professional, friendly and most importantly, it was organized,” said Collazo.

Brown says she excited about future collaborations with young professionals especially in the beauty industry.

“I think it is important as young women and young professionals to remember that as we climb ladders we continue to connect with the community,” said Brown.

For more information on these change makers visit: BelleIEVE.com and GingerandLiz.com

About the Author, Sophia Brewer

Sophia Brewer is a transplant to NYC from Atlanta, Ga. She obtained a M.A Journalism from Columbia College in Chicago and received a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Clark Atlanta University. Throughout her studies, she interned at top news stations in Chicago and Atlanta. In addition, she served as a Publicity Assistant for a NFL player.

A Personal Discussion on Breast Cancer

by Dara K. Marsh, NYULYP Community Service Chair

Sisters’ Journey by artist Larry “Poncho” Brown

When you hear the words breast cancer, who comes to mind? Older white women, right? And justifiably so; our white female counterparts have a higher rate of diagnosis, but it is black women that have the highest mortality rate.

Black women are usually diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and also develop more aggressive forms of it. Factor in a lack of medical and financial resources, and we have a recipe for disaster. These statistics were made very clear at the Breast Cancer in Women of Color Conference I attended this month hosted by NYU’s Langone Medical Center. This year’s conference focused on survivorship; what to demand from your doctors, what your nutritional needs might be, and taking care of your emotional state. I certainly went home with more knowledge than what I entered with.

Quick quiz: Other than feeling for a lump, what are some other symptoms? Did you know that scabbing, dimpling, and simple tenderness can be signs of the disease? Name one man who has been diagnosed with breast cancer? Did you know that actor, Richard Roundtree, is a breast cancer survivor? I just found this out myself, but I have met male survivors, women of color warriors, and ladies under 30 that won the battle over breast cancer. And I have reasons to take this topic very personally.

In 2004, my sister, Kim-Marie Walker, had a husband, two children, and a thriving law career. She had even argued a case in front of Justice Clarence Thomas. During one of my visits, I pointed out that she was losing weight. She attributed it to a busy mommy lifestyle, but then came the coughing. In the days surrounding her 35th birthday, she heard words I don’t think any of us were prepared for. Kim had Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which means it had already spread. Despite treatment, she did not survive.

The only person that we knew of to have breast cancer previously was our aunt, who was well within the 50+ cohort. So why would we ever think there was a real family history? My mom’s side had no history so we were good, right? Nope. I’ve since learned that breast cancer has been plaguing my paternal line. I am considered at high risk because of my sister and aunt’s diagnoses. I’ve been screened for years and I am now 34; the same age my sister was at her diagnosis.

October is Breast Cancer awareness month. I didn’t realize this until a subway sign promoting the Avon Walk initially caught my attention. This will be my fifth year participating in the Walk and I’ve raised over $12,000 to support this cause, but what struck me during my first walk and every year since, is how many men and women of color are impacted by breast cancer.

So I close this post in two ways: Dedicating it to Kim-Marie, Aunt Hilda, Alice, Rupali, Dorrese, Karmelle, and Eve who lost their battle; to my cousin and friend who are battling as I write this; to my colleague who is a loud and proud survivor; and to my nieces, in hopes they never hear this same diagnosis.

And I pose these questions to ask yourself  or the women in your lives: Are you doing your monthly self exams? What’s your family history? Do you know the signs? And are your doctors treating you like the center of the universe you are? After all, you are the center of the universe when it comes to your health, so take charge of it! And please take a moment to cheer on anyone you see wearing a pink ribbon this month.

About the Author, Dara K. Marsh
Dara K. Marsh holds a Bachelors of Arts from SUNY Purchase, a Masters of Arts in Educational Theater from NYU and a Masters of Public Administration in Nonprofit Administration from Baruch College. Dara has worked in the development offices of several NYC nonprofits such as Hadassah, Columbia University, New York Law School and most recently the MJHS Foundation. She is an avid fundraiser for the Avon Foundation Walk for Breast Cancer, a two day marathon, which she dedicates to her late sister and aunt. In 2012, she accepted the role of Community Service Chair with the New York Urban League Young Professionals.

“Lifting As We Climb”: The First Annual Women’s Expo Sets New Standard for Events that Spotlight Female Entrepreneurship

by Kara I. Stevens

Having successfully hosted its first annual Women’s Expo, the New York Urban League Young Professionals has set a new standard for events that showcase female empowerment, creativity and entrepreneurship.

On August 24th, more than 100 women lined up at the doors of the Helen Mills Event Space to not only receive their complementary gift bags with products and goodies from Miss Jessie’s, Macy’s and State Farm, but also to sample, patronize, and discover new products and services from local women-owned businesses.

With over fifty vendors, there was a buzz of commerce and a sense of community that permeated the space. Patrons were able to experience a diversity of products and services ranging from homemade skin care products, branding services, catering services, boutique event planning services, fitness courses to career coaching in one space.

Lauren Stewart, a Virginia transplant and graduate student studying non-profit management at New York University commented, “I want to be an entrepreneur in non-profit management. It’s empowering to see black women working together and getting things done. I am excited to be here.”

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In addition to providing the young, female professional of New York City with quality goods and services, the Women’s Expo was also an excellent opportunity for new business owners to increase their exposure and business acumen. For Alana Gardner, founder of J. Aubrey, an eighteen-month year-old company that specializes in the design of empowerment t-shirts, the Women’s Expo, “lets people know who you are, introduces your products and services, and empowers black women.”

Even Michelle D. Hare, representative of State Farm, the event’s sponsor, had only positive things to say about its collaboration with the New York Urban League Young Professionals. “It is fly and full of swag,” she said.

Hare and her fellow State Farm representative, Linda A. Burchett also offered participants free informational sessions on ways to build a legacy of wealth, learn how to invest, and employ life insurance to ensure their financial freedom.

In short, the first Women’s Expo was a bona fide success. Upward and onward from here.

About the Author, Kara I. Stevens
Kara I. Stevens is super stoked to be a member of the NYULYP Communications Committee. By day, she is an educational administrator. By night, she attends to her blog, FabulousNFrugal, an online home for “financial empowerment, mindful spending, and juicy living.”

To Be Equal #18: Expanding Medicaid Crucial for the Country’s Economy, Health

by Marc Morial, President and CEO National Urban League

Last week, 400,000 poor and underserved Louisianans, many them people of color, were shut out of potentially life-saving health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

A Louisiana House health committee voted down a measure that would have forced Governor Bobby Jindal to opt into the Medicaid expansion provision of ACA that is being subsidized by the federal government to cover vulnerable communities. Even more discouraging was the unfortunate reality that the vote was right along party lines. Is it too much to ask to keep partisanship out of our health care? I certainly hope not.

Gov. Bobby Jindal made it perfectly clear that he won’t accept federal funding to expand Medicaid. As he appears to be more focused on positioning for his own political future, this is coming at a huge cost to Louisianans.

Louisiana has the second-highest rate of uninsured adults in the country. Many people — especially women and African Americans — in the state lack access to basic health care. In fact, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, 33 do not have a single OB/GYN.

Accepting federal dollars would mean that an estimated 398,000 more hardworking Louisianans would get basic health care when they need it, without facing devastating medical bills.

Medicaid expansion would also have the most positive impact on African Americans in the state; nearly half of those in our community who don’t have health insurance would likely gain coverage. Across the board, the percentage of uninsured in the state could actually drop by as much as 60 percent.

It would also be a huge benefit to the state’s economy. If the state doesn’t accept federal funding, it could actually cost Louisiana’s economy $15.7 billion dollars over the next decade – money that could go to job creation and supporting small businesses, the backbone of our nation’s economy.

There is no doubt that this would be life-changing for many Louisianans. More people would be able to afford preventive health care. They would be able to avoid chronic health problems, costly long-term medical care, and personal bankruptcy — especially among African Americans, who often shoulder the increased cost of health care.

Of course, Louisiana is just one example.

Some politicians in other parts of the country continue to put their own self-interests before the hardworking families in their state. In Texas, for example, Governor Rick Perry has vowed to block Medicaid expansion. That’s especially disturbing as Texas is the only state in the country that ranks higher than Louisiana in terms of uninsured people.

I write this as someone who understands via experience – not just hypotheses and projections – the fiscal burden many local governments are facing. As the former mayor of New Orleans, a former Louisiana State Senator and current head of the National Urban League, I’ve seen how basic health care can help empower people in underserved communities.

State lawmakers have a unique opportunity to care for more people than ever before, to make their states healthier than ever before and, in the process, save their states millions of dollars. It’s a pity that Louisiana lawmakers seem determined to reject what could be a boon for the state and for its residents who have suffered enough in recent years.

Folks like Bobby Jindal and Rick Perry must act on behalf of the millions of hardworking families across the country that will benefit from this funding, rather than play politics with their health and well-being.

It’s up to lawmakers to lead on these issues, to accept federal aid to expand Medicaid and provide basic health care to millions of women and families. By doing so, they have the potential to transform their states, improve – and save – lives, and reduce taxpayer costs.

About To Be Equal

To Be Equal is a syndicated weekly column by National Urban League President Marc H. Morial, which is distributed to more than 400 newspapers and websites nationwide. Each week’s topic focuses on issues affecting both African American’s and the nation as a whole. Started in 1963 by CEO Whitney M. Young, Jr., as “The Voice of Black America,” the column was immediately picked up by major newspapers and radio stations across the country. Today, the To Be Equal column continues to present a unique insight on national and international issues.